Ben & Jerry's Founding Partner Claims Unilever Prevented Palestine-Themed Frozen Dessert Product

Ice cream activism illustration
Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs advocating for social causes via dessert products

One of the original creators of the famous frozen dessert company Ben and Jerry's has stated how parent company Unilever blocked the launch for an innovative Palestine-themed ice cream flavor.

The entrepreneur, who established the company alongside his partner, revealed how he will independently develop this new flavor as part of a personal collection highlighting causes Ben & Jerry's was barred from addressing publicly.

Longstanding Dispute Between Creators and Corporate Owner

The recent development deepens the ongoing disagreement between the world-famous ice cream maker with Unilever, the British consumer goods corporation which acquired the ice cream brand since 2000.

Both founders have claimed how the parent company along with its ice cream arm the Magnum brand improperly prevented their company against "honouring its social mission".

Watermelon Sorbet as a Symbol for Solidarity

Mr. Cohen announced through social media how he's developing a new watermelon-flavored frozen dessert, asking for public suggestions regarding the product's name plus potential ingredients.

“I'm doing what they were prevented from doing,” the founder stated from a cooking set. “I'm creating a watermelon-flavored frozen dessert that calls for permanent peace for Palestinians and calls for repairing the damage that was done there.”

This particular fruit has become an emblem of solidarity with the Palestinian people due to its coloration, that closely resemble those of Palestine's national banner – the distinctive four-color pattern.

Previous Activism plus Recent Developments

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's refused to sell its products in areas occupied by Israel, resulting in the parent company transferring the Israeli operation over to a local licensee, thus allowing continued sales in disputed territories.

This upcoming dessert series will be created through Mr. Cohen's personal brand, the socially conscious dessert company which originally created several years back for endorsing former US presidential candidate Senator Sanders via the flavor "Bernie's Return".

Management Changes and Upcoming Intentions

The founder indicated how he will create additional ice cream flavors focusing on issues which Ben & Jerry's was silenced from speaking about openly by corporate restrictions.

This development follows partner Jerry Greenfield stepped down his position at Ben & Jerry's in September, following decades with the organization, mentioning concerns that the company's autonomy was undermined following corporate moves to curb their advocacy work.

Previously, Mr. Cohen commented that “My partner has a really big heart and the ongoing dispute with our parent company was deeply distressing him."

"My heart compels me to keep working inside the company to fight for its independence so that the company can actualise the social mission, the values which it was founded on and has maintained for decades," he told media outlets.

  • Corporate owner limitations on social activism
  • Personal flavor creation by company founders
  • Watermelon flavor as social statement
  • Continuing tensions between parent company versus social mission
Sheena Martin
Sheena Martin

A digital nomad and minimalist lifestyle coach, sharing strategies for intentional living and sustainable habits.